Ethnogeriatrics is a field in gerontology that focuses on the interconnection of health, aging, and ethnicity. According to Cummings-Vaughn and Cruz-Oliver (2016), ethnogeriatrics studies “the influence of culture, race, and ethnicity on healthcare for older persons from diverse ethnoracial populations” (p. 3). Ethnogeriatrics considers the social determinants of health and well-being and addresses healthcare disparities to provide better care for the elderly from different cultural backgrounds.
Social support is vital for older people who face numerous challenges that come with aging, such as chronic health conditions, mental and cognitive health risks, mobility impairment, social isolation, and age discrimination (ageism). On top of that, racial and ethnic disparities exacerbate the outcomes for the elderly. As Czaja et al. (2018) state, by 2050, about 21% of the American population is expected to be represented by people aged 65 and older, while “those aged 85 and older will represent 5%” (p. 467). In this regard, ethnogeriatrics promotes cultural competence and quality care for older adults in the context of changing demographics by incorporating various methods.
For instance, The ETHNIC(S) mnemonic is a clinical interviewing tool that allows for culturally appropriate healthcare (Cummings-Vaughn & Cruz-Oliver, 2016). Furthermore, the role of technology in providing support to the elderly is studied by many researchers. As Czaja et al. (2018) report, the Personal Reminder Information and Social Management System (PRISM) software was designed to improve “social connectivity and reduce loneliness among older adults” (p. 467). Hence, various approaches are available to address the issues of the elderly in a culturally appropriate way.
To summarize, ethnogeriatrics is a critical branch of geriatric care that aims to counteract the issues of the elderly related to the cultural context. The recognition of its importance is explained by the increasing diversity of American senior citizens and healthcare providers. Ethnogeriatrics research plays an essential role in addressing disparities and raising awareness of their adverse outcomes for older people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
References
Cummings-Vaughn, L., & Cruz-Oliver, D. M. (Eds.). (2016). Ethnogeriatrics: Healthcare needs of diverse populations. Springer.
Czaja, S. J., Boot, W. R., Charness, N., Rogers, W. A., & Sharit, J. (2018). Improving social support for older adults through technology: Findings from the PRISM randomized controlled trial. The Gerontologist, 58(3), 467–477. Web.